Systems and methods of using dynamic data for wear leveling in solid-state devices

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for wear-leveling in flash storage devices are provided. A flash storage system performs wear-leveling by tracking data errors that occur when dynamic data is read from a first storage block in a first flash storage device and moving the dynamic data to a second storage block in a second flash storage device. Additionally, wear-leveling is achieved by identifying a third storage block containing static data and moves the static data to the storage block previously containing the dynamic data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/597,158, filed on Aug. 28, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,453,021, and entitled “Wear Leveling in Solid-State Device,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/511,994, filed on Jul. 29, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,266,481, and entitled “System and Method of Wear-Leveling in Flash Storage,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to flash storage systems and devices, and more particularly to wear-leveling in flash storage systems and devices.

A typical flash storage device includes a controller that writes data to storage blocks of the flash storage device and reads data from these storage blocks. In a write operation to a storage block, the controller erases the storage block before data is written to that storage block. Eventually, after a sufficient number of erases of the storage block, the storage block becomes defective and the controller replaces the defective storage block with a spare storage block in the flash storage device.

Wear in a storage block is determined by the number of erases of the storage block. Some flash storage devices include a counter for each storage block for maintaining a count of erases of the storage block. The controller uses the counter to perform wear-leveling in the flash storage device. In this process, the controller counts the number of erases of each storage block and attempts to write data to those storage blocks that have a lower erase count than the erase count of other storage blocks. In this way, the lifetimes of individual storage blocks in the flash storage device, as well as the lifetime of the flash storage device, are increased. Because, each of the counters typically has a number of bits sufficient to count up to a predicted number of erases before the storage block becomes defective, the counters consume significant area and power in a flash storage device.

In light of the above, a need exists for an improved system and method of performing wear-leveling in flash storage systems and devices.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a flash storage system performs wear-leveling on storage blocks in a plurality of flash storage devices. The flash storage system includes a flash controller that detects and tracks data errors occurring when a data unit is read from a first storage block in a first flash storage device. When a read data error occurs, the controller is configured to detect if the data unit includes dynamic data. If a data error has occurred and the data unit includes dynamic data, the flash controller moves the dynamic data to a second storage block in a second flash storage device. Additionally, the flash controller is configured to move a plurality of data units from the first storage block to the second storage block if a data error has occurred and the first data unit includes dynamic data. In some embodiments, the flash controller is configured to correct any data errors in the data units prior to moving the data units to the second storage block. In yet other embodiments, the flash controller is configured to select a third storage block containing static data and move the static data to the first storage block. Moving the static data to the storage block previously containing the dynamic data reduces the number subsequent erases of that storage block, which increases the lifetimes of the storage block and the flash storage device.

A method of wear-leveling in a flash storage system, in accordance with one embodiment, includes performing a read operation to read a first data unit from a first storage block of a plurality of storage blocks in a first flash storage device. The method also includes determining if a data error has occurred as a result of reading the first data unit from the first storage block and if the first data unit contains dynamic data. If a data error has occurred and the first data unit includes dynamic data, the method includes a step of moving the first data unit from the first storage block to a second storage block located in a second storage device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1A is block diagram of an electronic system including a flash storage device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates storage blocks in a flash storage device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C illustrates storage blocks in a flash storage device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a logical block address table, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a status table, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a virtual address table, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B illustrates two flash storage devices of a flash storage system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a flow chart for a method of wear-leveling in a flash storage device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a flow chart for a method of wear-leveling in a flash storage device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a flow chart for a method of wear-leveling in a flash storage system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a flow chart for a method of wear-leveling in a flash storage system, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7C is a flow chart for a method of wear-leveling in a flash storage system, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

One indicator of wear in a storage block of the flash storage device is the number of erases of the storage block. A storage block is erased in an erase operation before data is written to the storage block in a write operation. Data that is written to a storage block in multiple write operations is referred to as dynamic data because the data changes in the storage block as a result of each of the write operations. Thus, a storage block that contains dynamic data is a storage block that has been erased multiple times as a result of the multiple write operations. Although an erase operation may be performed on a storage block after reading data from the storage block in a read operation, data often remains in the storage block for subsequent read operations on the storage block. Data that remains unchanged in a storage block after the data is initially written to the storage block is referred to as static data. Once data is written to the storage block in a subsequent write operation, however, the data is referred to as dynamic data.

A data error that occurs when reading data from a storage block of a flash storage device is another indicator of wear in the storage block because such a data error often occurs after a large number of erase operations have been performed on the storage block. Moreover, the storage block often becomes defective after a relatively small number of erase operations are performed on the storage block after the data error occurs.

In various embodiments, a flash storage device performs wear-leveling by tracking data errors occurring when dynamic data is read from a storage block of the flash storage device and moving the dynamic data to an available storage block of the flash storage device. Additionally, the flash storage device identifies a storage block in the flash storage device containing static data and moves the static data to the storage block previously containing the dynamic data. In this way, the flash storage device reduces the number of subsequent erase operations to the storage block previously containing the dynamic data, which increases the lifetime of the storage block and the flash storage device.

FIG. 1A illustrates an electronic system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic system 100 includes a flash storage device 110 and a host 105 coupled to the flash storage device 110. The host 105 writes data to the flash storage device 110 and reads data from the flash storage device 110. The flash storage device 110 includes a flash controller 115, a data memory 120, and storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). The data memory 120 and the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) are each coupled to the flash controller 115. The flash storage device 110 also includes a logical block address table 130 and a status table 135. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the data memory 120 includes the logical block address table 130 and the status table 135. In other embodiments, the logical block address table 130 or the status table 135, or both, may be external of the data memory 120. For example, the flash controller 115 or the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) may include the logical block address table 130 or the status table 135, or both, in other embodiments.

The host 105 may be any computing or electronic device, such as a computer workstation, an embedded computing system, a network router, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, a digital phone, or the like. The flash controller 115 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an embedded controller, a logic circuit, software, firmware, or any kind of processing device. The flash storage device 110 may be any type of flash storage, such as a flash storage system, a solid-state drive, a flash memory card, a secure digital (SD) card, a universal serial bus (USB) memory device, a flash storage array, a CompactFlash card, SmartMedia, a flash storage array, or the like.

The data memory 120 may be any memory, computing device, or system capable of storing data. For example, the data memory 120 may be a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a flash storage, an erasable programmable read-only-memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only-memory (EEPROM), or the like. Each of the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) may be any type of nonvolatile storage such as, for example, a flash storage block. Each of the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) has a data size, which determines the capacity of the storage block to store data. For example, the data size of a storage block may be a data bit, a data byte, a data word, a data block, a data record, a data file, a data sector, a memory page, a logic sector, or a file sector, or any other unit of data. Although four storage blocks are illustrated in FIG. 1, the flash storage device 110 may have more or fewer storage blocks in other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a block diagram of storage blocks in a flash storage device according to one aspect of the subject disclosure is depicted. Flash storage device 110 includes a number of storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). While the term “storage block” is used throughout the description, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that the term storage block is frequently used interchangeably with the term “data block” or “memory block” in the art. Each storage block has a plurality of data units for storing data. In the present exemplary flash storage device, each storage block is illustrated as including 16 data units. The scope of the present disclosure, however, is not limited to such an arrangement. Rather, as will be apparent to one of skill in the art, a storage block may be configured with more or less than 16 data units as desired to provide various levels of storage space. For example, in accordance with one aspect of the subject disclosure, a storage block may include 32 data units of 4 kilobytes (kB) each to provide 128 kB of data storage. While data blocks are usually configured with 2n data units (e.g., 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, etc.), the scope of the invention is not so limited. Similarly, while each storage block 125 ₁-125 _(n) is illustrated as including the same number of data units, the scope of the invention is not so limited, as a flash storage device may comprise a number of data blocks with differing capacities and/or numbers of data units. In accordance with another aspect, a storage block is stored on a single flash memory chip in a storage array of multiple flash memory chips.

Three types of data units are illustrated with different graphical conventions in FIG. 1B. Empty data units, such as data unit 121, are indicated by an empty or white field. Data units containing dynamic data (e.g., data which is frequently updated or rewritten), such as data unit 122, are indicated by a shaded field. Data units containing static data (e.g., data which is infrequently updated or rewritten), such as data unit 123, are indicated by a field with diagonal hatches. In addition, a data unit containing data which has become corrupted or is otherwise erroneous, such as data unit 124, is indicated by intersecting diagonal black lines.

In various embodiments, the flash controller 115 writes data (e.g., data units) to the data memory 120 and the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) and reads data from the data memory 120 and the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). Additionally, the flash controller 115 generates error correction codes (ECC) for data in the flash storage device 110. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 generates an error correction code (ECC) for data in the flash storage device 110 in conjunction with performing a write operation for writing the data to storage block 125 ₁, for example. Further, the flash controller 115 writes the error correction code associated with the data to the storage block 125 ₁.

According to one aspect of the subject disclosure, upon a read operation of storage block 125 ₁, the flash controller 115 may be configured to use the error correction codes to determine whether data errors occur when the flash controller 115 reads data from the storage blocks 125 ₁. A data error occurs if one or more data bits of the data read from the storage block 125 ₁ or more specifically, from data unit 124 by the flash controller 115 are corrupt. Data unit 124 contains data that has become corrupted or is otherwise erroneous. If a data error occurs when the flash controller 115 reads data from the storage blocks 125 ₁, the flash controller 115 corrects the data error in data unit 124 by using the error correction code previously generated for the data. After correcting the data error, controller 115 may be configured to move the data from data unit 124 (or the entire storage block 125 ₁) to one or more data units of an available data block, such as data block 125 ₄. Controller 115 may be further configured to move data (e.g., from a single data unit, or from multiple data units) which has been determined to be static data from one or more data units of another data block, such as storage block 125 ₂, to one or more data units of storage block 125 ₁. In accordance with one aspect of the subject disclosure, controller 115 is configured to move data by first copying the data from the data unit(s) of one data block to the data unit(s) of another data block, and then deleting the first data block.

In addition, the flash controller 115 maintains a count of the number of data errors occurring in read operations for each of the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). If the flash controller 115 determines the number of data errors occurring in read operations of a given storage block containing dynamic data exceeds a threshold value, the flash controller 115 selects an available storage block and moves the dynamic data to the available storage block. Further, the flash controller 115 may select a storage block containing static data and move the static data to the storage block previously containing the dynamic data. In this way, the controller performs wear-leveling in the flash storage device 110.

The foregoing operation may be more easily understood with reference to FIG. 1C, which illustrates flash storage device 110 after the above described operations have been completed, in accordance with one aspect of the subject disclosure. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 1C, the dynamic data previously located in the data units of storage block 125 ₁ have been moved to data units of storage block 125 ₄, while the static data previously located in the data units of storage block 125 ₂ have been moved to data units of storage block 125 ₁. In various embodiments, the flash controller 115 is configured to perform error correction on all data units when moving the data from storage block 125 ₁ to storage block 125 ₄ and from storage block 125 ₂ to storage block 125 ₁. As a result, storage blocks 125 ₄ and 125 ₁ contain all new and valid data after the above operations.

In some embodiments, the flash storage device 110 includes spare storage blocks, such as spare storage block 125 ₅, for replacement of any defective storage block in the flash storage device 110. In these embodiments, the flash controller 115 determines whether any of the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) is defective and maps the logical block address of the flash storage device 110 associated with such a defective storage block to the physical block address of a spare storage block.

FIG. 2 illustrates the logical block address table 130, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The logical block address table 130 maps logical block addresses 200 ₁-200 _(n) to physical block addresses 205 ₁-205 _(n) of the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) of flash storage device 110. In other embodiments, the logical block address table 130 may be another data structure, or may include software, or hardware, or both, that maps the logical block addresses 200 ₁-200 _(n) of the flash storage device 110 to the physical block addresses 205 ₁-205 _(n) of storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) in the flash storage device 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates the status table 135, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The status table 135 includes physical block addresses 205 ₁-205 _(n), block status indicators 300 ₁-300 _(n), read status indicators 305 ₁-305 _(n), write status indicators 310 ₁-310 _(n), and error status indicators 315 ₁-315 _(n) for each of the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n), respectively. In other embodiments, the status table 135 may be another data structure, or may include software, or hardware.

By way of example, block status indicator 300 ₁ of a storage block 125 ₁ indicates whether the storage block 125 ₁ is defective. In operation, if flash controller 115 determines storage block 125 ₁ is defective, the flash controller 115 replaces the defective storage block 125 ₁ with a spare storage block (i.e., by moving data from storage block 125 ₁ to the spare storage block), and sets the block status indicator 300 ₁ of the defective storage block 125 ₁ to indicate that the defective storage block 125 ₁ is defective.

The read status indicators 305 ₁-305 _(n) indicate whether the flash controller 115 has read data from the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) since the flash storage device 110 was last powered-on. Write status indicator 310 ₁ indicates whether the flash controller 115 has written data to the storage block 125 ₁ since the flash storage device 110 was last powered-on. If write status indicator 310 ₁ of storage block 125 ₁ indicates the flash controller 115 has written data to the storage block 125 ₁ since the flash storage device 110 was last powered-on, the storage block 125 ₁ is deemed to contain dynamic data. If the write status indicator 310 ₁ of a storage block 125 ₁ indicates the flash controller 115 has not written data to the storage block 125 ₁ since the flash storage device 110 was last powered-on, the storage block 125 ₁ is deemed to contain static data. The error status indicators 315 ₁-315 _(n) of storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) indicate the number of data errors that have occurred as a result the flash controller 115 reading data from storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). In an alternative embodiment, the error status indicators 315 ₁-315 _(n) of storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) indicate the number of data errors that have occurred as a result of the flash controller 115 reading data from the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) since the flash storage device 110 was last powered-on. For example, FIG. 1B illustrates storage block 125 ₁ having three data units that have error. In this case, the error status indicator 315 ₁ of storage block 125 ₁ may have a value of three.

In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 resets the read status indicators 305 ₁-305 _(n) and the write status indicators 310 ₁-310 _(n) after the flash storage device 110 is powered-on and before the flash controller 115 reads data from, or writes data to, the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). For example, each of the read status indicators 305 ₁-305 _(n) and each of the write status indicators 310 ₁-310 _(n) may include a data bit and the flash controller 115 sets each of these data bits to a value of zero. In a further embodiment, the flash controller 115 resets the error status indicator 315 ₁-315 _(n) after the flash storage device 110 is powered-on but before the flash controller 115 reads data from, or writes data to, the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). For example, the error status indicator 315 ₁ may include one or more data bits and the flash controller 115 sets each of these data bits to a value of zero. In this embodiment, the error status indicator 315 ₁ indicates the number of data errors that have occurred as a result the flash controller 115 reading data from the storage block 125 ₁ since the flash storage device 110 was last powered-on.

In some embodiments, the status table 135 also includes optional free storage block indicators 320 ₁-320 _(n). The free storage block indicators 320 ₁-320 _(n) may contain the physical block addresses 205 ₁-205 _(n) of available storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) in the flash storage device 110. In one embodiment, the free storage block indicator 320 ₄ is set during manufacture of the flash storage device 110 to contain the physical block address 205 ₄ of an available storage block, such as a spare storage block 125 ₄, in the flash storage device 110. In this embodiment, the free storage block indicator 320 ₄ also indicates whether the storage block 125 ₄ associated with the physical block address 205 ₄ in the free storage block indicator 320 ₄ is available. Alternatively, the free storage block indicators 320 ₁-320 _(n) may contain a flag or bit that is set to indicate which of storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) at the physical block addresses 205 ₁-205 _(n) listed in the status table 135 are available.

In other embodiments, the flash controller 115 identifies an available storage block, such as spare storage block 125 ₅, when the storage block 125 ₅ associated with the physical block address 205 ₅ in the free storage block indicator 320 ₅ is used and becomes unavailable. In these embodiments, the controller updates the free storage block indicator 320 ₅ to contain the physical block address 205 ₅ of the identified storage block 125 ₅. Although only one free storage block indicator 320 ₅ and storage block 125 ₅ are illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 3, there may be other spare storage blocks and the status table 135 may contain more than one free storage block indicator in other embodiments.

In various embodiments, the flash controller 115 receives an operation from the host 105, which may be a read operation or a write operation, among others. Each of the read or write operations includes a logical block address of the flash storage device 110. Additionally, a write operation includes a data unit. For example, a data unit may be a data bit, a data byte, a data word, a data block, a data record, a data file, a data sector, a data segment, a memory page, a logic sector, or a file sector, or any other unit of data. If the operation received from the host 105 is a write operation that corresponds to storage block 125 ₂, for example, the flash controller 115 determines physical block address 205 ₂ of storage block 125 ₂ based on the logical block address 200 ₁ of the write operation and the logical block address table 130. The flash controller 115 then writes the data unit of the write operation to the storage block 125 ₂ based on the physical block address 205 ₂ of storage block 125 ₂. Additionally, the flash controller 115 sets the write status indicator 310 ₂ in the status table 135 to indicate the flash controller 115 has written data to the storage block 125 ₂. For example, the flash controller 115 may set a data bit of the write status indicator 310 ₂ to a value of one.

If the operation received from the host 105 is a read operation that corresponds to storage block 125 ₁, for example, the flash controller 115 determines the physical block address 205 ₁ of storage block 125 ₁ based on the logical block address 200 ₂ of the write operation and the logical block address table 130. The flash controller 115 then reads a data unit from the storage block 125 ₁ based on the physical block address 205 ₁ of that storage block 125 ₁ and provides the data unit to the host 105. Additionally, the flash controller 115 sets the read status indicator 305 ₁ in the status table 135 to indicate the flash controller 115 has read data from the storage block 125 ₁. For example, the flash controller 115 may set a data bit of the read status indicator 305 ₁ to a value of one.

Additionally, the flash controller 115 determines whether a data error occurs as a result of a read operation on any of the storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). For example, if a data error occurs as a result of the read operation on storage block 125 ₁, the flash controller 115 corrects the data error in the data unit by using the error correction code previously generated for the data unit. The flash controller 115 then provides the data unit, which has been corrected, to the host 105. Additionally, the flash controller 115 updates the error status indicator 315 ₁ of storage block 125 ₁ to indicate a new count of the number of data errors occurring in read operations for the storage block 125 ₁. For example, the flash controller 115 may modify one or more data bits of the error status indicator 315 ₁ to increment the count of the error status indicator 315 ₁.

If a data error occurs as a result of the read operation on a storage block 125 ₁ for example, the flash controller 115 determines whether the storage block 125 ₁ contains dynamic data. By way of example, flash controller 115 determines whether the count in the error status indicator 315 ₁ of the storage block 125 ₁ exceeds a threshold value and whether the write status indicator 310 ₁ of the storage block 125 ₁ is set. If the count in the error status indicator 315 ₁ of the storage block 125 ₁ exceeds the threshold value and the write status indicator 310 ₁ of the storage block 125 ₁ is set, the controller deems storage block 125 ₁ to be a dynamic storage block. Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the flash controller 115 selects an available storage block 125 ₄, writes the data unit from the dynamic storage block 125 ₁ to the selected storage block 125 ₄, erases the dynamic storage block 125 ₁, and updates the logical block address table 130 such that the physical address associated with the dynamic storage block 125 ₁ that previously contained dynamic data is mapped to the newly selected storage block 125 ₄. In this way, the flash controller 115 moves the dynamic data from the storage block 125 ₁ to the selected storage block 125 ₄.

In addition to moving the data from the dynamic storage block 125 ₁ to the selected storage block 125 ₄, the flash controller 115 identifies a storage block that contains static data. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 identifies the storage block 125 ₂ containing the static data by identifying a write status indicator 310 ₂ associated with the storage block 125 ₂ that is not set in the status table 135. In another embodiment, the flash controller 115 identifies the storage block 125 ₂ containing the static data by identifying a write status indicator 310 ₂ associated with the storage block 125 ₂ that is not set in the status table 135 and a read status indicator 305 ₂ associated with the storage block 125 ₂ that is set in the status table 135. The flash controller 115 then deems the identified storage block 125 ₂ to be a static storage block. The flash controller 115 then reads the static data from the static storage block 125 ₂ and writes the data to storage block 125 ₁ that previously contained the dynamic data. Additionally, the flash controller 115 updates the logical block address table 130 such that the physical address associated with the static storage block 125 ₂ is mapped to the storage block 125 ₁. In some embodiments, the flash controller 115 also erases the static storage block 125 ₂.

In some instances, the write status indicators 310 ₁-310 _(n) of storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) in the flash storage device 110 may become set. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 determines if the write status indicators 310 ₁-310 _(n) of storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) in the flash storage device 110 are set based on the status table 135. By way of example, the flash controller 115 may identify storage block 125 ₂ containing static data by identifying an error status indicator 315 ₂ associated with the storage block 125 ₂ that has a count less than the current threshold value.

In some instances, the error status indicators 315 ₁-315 _(n) of storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) in the flash storage device 110 may become set. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 determines if the error status indicators 315 of storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n) in the flash storage device 110 are set based on the status table 135. In this embodiment, the flash controller 115 then increases the threshold value.

FIG. 4 illustrates the electronic system 100, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic system 100 includes a flash storage system 400. The flash storage system 400 includes a system controller 405, a data memory 410, and multiple flash storage devices 110 ₁-110 _(m). The system controller 405 is coupled to the host 105, the data memory 410, and to each of the flash storage devices 110 ₁-110 _(m). The system controller 405 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an embedded controller, a logic circuit, software, firmware, or any kind of processing device. The data memory 410 may be any memory, computing device, or system capable of storing data. For example, the data memory 410 may be a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a flash storage, an erasable programmable read-only-memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only-memory (EEPROM), or the like.

The data memory 410 includes the status tables 135 ₁-135 _(m) of the flash storage devices 110 ₁-110 _(m) and a virtual address table 415. By way of example, the system controller 405 instead of the individual flash controllers 115 maintains the status tables 135 ₁-135 _(m) of the flash storage devices 110 ₁-110 _(m). Although four flash storage devices and four status tables are illustrated in FIG. 4, the flash storage system 400 may have more or fewer flash storage devices 110 ₁-110 _(m) or status tables 135 ₁-135 _(m), or both, in other embodiments.

FIG. 5A illustrates the virtual address table 415, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The virtual address table 415 maps virtual addresses 500 ₁-500 _(p) to logical block addresses 200 ₁-200 _(p) of the flash storage devices 110 ₁-110 _(m). In various embodiments, the system controller 405 receives operations including virtual addresses 500 ₁-500 _(p) from the host 105 and uses the virtual address table 415 to identify physical addresses of the flash storage devices 110 ₁-110 _(m).

Referring now to FIG. 5B, flash storage system 400 is shown to have flash storage device 110 ₁ and flash storage device 110 ₂. In one embodiment, if the system controller 405 determines a data error has occurred as a result of a read operation in a storage block 125 ₁ of flash storage device 110 ₁, the system controller 405 may select an available storage block 125 ₄ in the same flash storage device 110 ₁ for data transferring (i.e., selection 1). In another embodiment, if the system controller 405 determines a data error has occurred as a result of a read operation in a dynamic storage block 125 ₁ of a flash storage device 110 ₁, the system controller 405 may select an available storage block 125′₄ of another flash storage device, such as flash storage device 110 ₂ (i.e., selection 2). The system controller 405 may select the available storage block 125′₄ if the flash storage device 110 ₁ containing the dynamic storage block 125 ₁ does not have an available storage block. The system controller 405 may also select the available storage block 125′₄ in an effort to perform wear-leveling among the flash storage devices 110 ₁-110 _(m). In the above described embodiment, system controller 405 then moves the data unit in the dynamical storage block 125 ₁ to the available storage block 125′₄ of the selected flash storage device 110 ₂. Additionally, the system controller 405 uses the virtual address table 415 to map the virtual address associated with the old dynamic storage block in the previous flash storage device 110 ₁ to the new storage block in the selected flash storage device 110 ₂.

FIG. 6A illustrates a method 600 of wear-leveling in the flash storage device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 602, the flash storage device 110 is powered-on or experiences a reset event. The method 600 then proceeds to step 604.

In step 604, the controller 115 resets the read status indicators 305 ₁-305 _(n) and the write status indicators 310 ₁-310 _(n) in the status table 135. The flash controller 115 may also reset the error status indicators 315 ₁-315 _(n) in the status table 135. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 receives a read operation or command from the host 105 in step 605 and performs the read operation on the first storage block 125 ₁ to read a first data unit from the storage block 125 ₁ in step 606 based on the read operation or command. The method 600 then proceeds to step 610.

In step 610, the flash controller 115 determines whether a data error has occurred as a result of reading the first data unit from the first storage block 125 ₁. If the controller determines a data error has occurred as a result of reading the first data unit from the first storage block 125 ₁, the method 600 proceeds to step 613, otherwise the method 600 proceeds back to step 605 to wait for the next read operation or command.

In step 613, arrived at from the determination in step 610 that a data error has occurred in the first data unit, the flash controller 115 determines whether the first data unit includes dynamic data. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 determines the first data unit contains dynamic data if the count in the error status indicator 315 ₁ of the first block 125 ₁ exceeds the threshold value and the write status signal 310 ₁ of the storage block 125 ₁ is set. If the flash controller 115 determines the first data unit contains dynamic data, the method 600 proceeds to step 615, otherwise the method 600 proceeds to step 618, where the flash controller 115 corrects the data error in the first data unit, sends the corrected data to the host, and the method 600 ends

In step 615, the flash controller 115 corrects the data error in the first data unit. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 uses an error correction code previously generated for the first data unit to correct the data error in the first data unit. The method 600 then proceeds to step 620.

In step 620, the flash controller 115 selects an available storage block 125 ₄ in the flash storage device 110. For example, the available storage block 125 ₄ may be a spare storage block. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 uses a free storage block indicator 320 ₄ in the status table 135 to select the available storage block 125 ₄. The method 600 then proceeds to step 622.

In step 622, the flash controller 115 moves the data unit by copying the, data unit from storage block 125 ₁, which has been corrected in step 615, to the selected storage block 125 ₄. The flash controller 115 may also perform an erase operation on storage block 125 ₁ at this stage. Additionally, the flash controller 115 updates the logical block address table 130. In this process, the flash controller 115 identifies the logical block address 200 ₂ that was mapped to the original storage block 125 ₁ and maps the logical block address 200 ₂ to new storage block 125 ₄ where the data has just been transferred. The method 600 then proceeds to step 626.

In step 626, the flash controller 115 selects a second storage block 125 ₂ in the flash storage device 110, which contains a second data unit including static data. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 selects the second storage block 125 ₂ by identifying a write status indicator 310 ₂ that is not set in the status table 135 and identifying the storage block 125 ₂ associated with the write status indicator 310 ₂. In another embodiment, the flash controller 115 selects the second storage block 125 ₂ by identifying a write status indicator 310 ₂ that is not set and a read status indicator 305 ₂ that is set in the status table 135, and identifying the storage block 125 ₂ associated with the write status indicator 310 ₂ and the read status indicator 305 ₂. The method 600 then proceeds to step 628.

In step 628, the flash controller 115 moves the second data unit from the second storage block 125 ₂ to the first storage block 125 ₁ by copying the data unit from storage block 125 ₂ to storage block 125 ₁, for example. Additionally, the flash controller 115 updates the logical block address table 130. In this process, the flash controller 115 identifies the logical block address 200 ₁ that is mapped to the second storage block 125 ₂ and maps the logical block address 200 ₁ to the first storage block 125 ₁. In one embodiment, the flash controller 115 then erases the second storage block 125 ₂. The method 600 then ends.

FIG. 6B illustrates an alternative method 601 of wear-leveling in the flash storage device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 602, the flash storage device 110 is powered-on or experiences a reset event. The method 601 then proceeds to step 604.

In step 604, the controller 115 may reset the read status indicators 305 ₁-305 _(n) and the write status indicators 310 ₁-310 _(n) in the status table 135. The flash controller 115 may also reset the error status indicators 315 ₁-315 _(n) in the status table 135. In one embodiment, the flash controller receives a command for a read operation from the host 105 in step 605. In step 606, the flash controller 115 reads a first data unit from a first storage block 125 ₁ in the flash storage device 110 based on the command. The method 601 then proceeds to step 610.

In step 610, the flash controller 115 determines whether a data error has occurred as a result of reading the first data unit from the first storage block 125 ₁. If the controller determines a data error has occurred as a result of the read operation, the method 601 proceeds to step 614, otherwise the method 601 proceeds back to step 605 to wait for the next command from the host 105.

In step 614, the flash controller 115 corrects the data error in the first data unit and the method 601 then proceeds to step 616.

In step 616, the flash controller 115 determines whether the first data unit includes dynamic data. If the flash controller 115 determines the first data unit contains dynamic data, the method 601 proceeds to stop 620, otherwise the method 601 ends.

In step 620, the flash controller 115 selects an available storage block 125 ₄ in the flash storage device 110. The method 601 then proceeds to step 622.

In step 622, the flash controller 115 moves the data unit by copying the data unit from storage block 125 ₁, which has been corrected in step 614 to the selected storage block 125 ₄, for example. The flash controller 115 may also perform an erase operation on storage block 125 ₁ at this stage. Additionally, the flash controller 115 updates the logical block address table 130. The method 601 then proceeds to step 626.

In step 626, the flash controller 115 selects a second storage block 125 ₂ in the flash storage device 110, which contains a second data unit including static data and then proceeds to step 628.

In step 628, the flash controller 115 moves the second data unit from the second storage block 125 ₂ to the first storage block 125 ₁ by copying the data unit from storage block 125 ₂ to storage block 125 ₁, for example, and performs an optional erase operation on the second storage block 125 ₂. The method 601 then ends. In various embodiments, the steps of either method 600 or method 601 may be performed in a different order than that described above with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. In some embodiments, method 600 or method 601 may include more or fewer steps than those steps illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In other embodiments, some or all of the steps of method 600 or method 601 may be performed in parallel with each other or substantially simultaneously with each other. While various storage blocks such as storage blocks 125 ₁ and 125 ₄ are described in the above method, they are given by way of example only. The data can be read and written to any storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). For example, in step 606, the flash controller 115 can read a first data unit from storage block 125 _(n) instead of storage block 125 ₁. Similarly, in step 620, the flash controller 115 may select another available storage block (e.g., available storage block 125 ₅ instead of storage block 125 ₄).

FIG. 7A illustrates a method 700 of wear-leveling in the flash storage system 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 702, the flash storage system 400 is powered-on or experiences a reset event. The method 700 then proceeds to step 704.

In step 704, the system controller 405 may reset the read status indicators 305 ₁-305 _(n) and the write status indicators 310 ₁-310 _(n) in the status tables 135. The system controller 405 may also reset the error status indicators 315 ₁-315 _(n) in the status tables 135. In one embodiment, the system controller 405 receives a read operation or command from the host 105 in step 705 and performs the read operation on the first storage block 125 ₁ to read the first data unit from the storage block 125 ₁ in flash storage device 110 ₁ in step 706. The method 700 then proceeds to step 710.

In step 710, the system controller 405 determines whether a data error has occurred as a result of reading the first data unit from the first storage block 125 ₁. If the system controller 405 determines a data error has occurred as a result of reading the first data unit from the first storage block 125 ₁, the method 700 proceeds to step 714, otherwise the method 700 proceeds back to step 705 to wait for the next operation or command.

In step 714, once the data error has detected in the first data unit, the system controller 405 corrects the data error in the first data unit. The method 700 then proceeds to step 716.

In step 716, the system controller 405 determines whether the first data unit includes dynamic data. In one embodiment, the system controller 405 determines the first data unit includes dynamic data if the count in the error status indicator 315 ₁ of the first storage block 125 ₁ exceeds the threshold value and the write status indicator 310 ₁ of the first storage block 125 ₁ is set. If the system controller 405 determines the first data unit contains dynamic data, the method 700 proceeds to step 720, otherwise the method 700 ends.

In step 720, the system controller 405 selects an available storage block in one of the flash storage devices. For example, the available storage block may be a spare storage block 125 ₄ in the same flash storage device 110 ₁. The system controller 405 may use a free storage block indicator 320 ₄ in the status table 135 to select the available storage block 125 ₄. In another embodiment, the system controller 405 may use a different free storage block indicator to select another available storage block that is in another flash storage device, such as storage block 125′₄ of flash storage device 110 ₂, for example. The method 700 then proceeds to step 722.

In step 722, the system controller 405 moves the data unit by copying the, data unit from storage block 125 ₁, which has been corrected in step 714, to the available storage block 125 ₄ or 125′₄. The system controller 405 may also perform an erase operation on storage block 125 ₁ at this stage. Additionally, the system controller 405 updates the virtual address table 415. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5A, the system controller 405 identifies the virtual address 500 ₁ that is mapped to the first storage block 125 ₁ and maps the virtual address 500 ₁ to the available storage block 125 ₄ or 125′₄. The method 700 then proceeds to step 726.

In step 726, the system controller 405 selects a storage block 125 ₂ in one of the flash storage devices 110, which contains a second data unit including static data. In one embodiment, the system controller 405 selects the second storage block 125 ₂ by identifying a write status indicator 310 ₂ that is not set in the status table 135 and identifying the storage block 125 ₂ associated with the write status indicator 310 ₂. In another embodiment, the system controller 405 selects the second storage block 125 ₂ by identifying a write status indicator 310 ₂ that is not set in the status table 135 and a read status indicator 305 ₂ that is set in the status table 135, and identifying the storage block 125 ₂ associated with the write status indicator 310 ₂ and the read status indicator 305 ₂. The method 700 then proceeds to step 728.

In step 728, the system controller 405 moves the second data unit from the second storage block 125 ₂ to the first storage block 125 ₁ by copying the data unit from storage block 125 ₂ to storage block 125 ₁, for example. The system controller 405 may also perform an erase operation on storage block 125 ₂. Additionally, the system controller 405 updates the virtual address table 415. In this process, the system controller 405 identifies the virtual address 500 ₂ that is mapped to the second storage block 125 ₂ and maps the virtual address 500 ₂ to the first storage block 125 ₁. In one embodiment, the system controller 405 also erases the second storage block 125 ₂. The method 700 then ends.

In various embodiments, the steps of the method 700 may be performed in a different order than that described above with reference to FIG. 7A. In some embodiments, the method 700 may include more or fewer steps than those steps illustrated in FIG. 7A. In other embodiments, some or all of the steps of the method 700 may be performed in parallel with each other or substantially simultaneously with each other. In yet other embodiments, the sequence of steps 710, 714, and 716 may be performed in different order. For example, with reference to FIG. 7B, an alternative method 701 of wear-leveling is shown. Method 701 starts with steps 702, 704, 705, 706, and 710, which are similar to those of method 700 as described above. However, after step 710 is performed, the method 701 proceeds to step 713 if a data error has occurred, otherwise the method 701 proceeds back to step 705.

In step 713, the system controller 405 determines whether the first data unit includes dynamic data. If the system controller 405 determines the first data unit contains dynamic data, the method 700 proceeds to step 715, otherwise the method 700 proceeds to step 718, where the system controller 405 corrects the data error in the first data unit, sends the corrected data to the host, and the method 701 ends.

In step 715, the system controller 405 corrects the data error in the first data unit and the method 701 proceeds to steps 720, 722, 726, and 728 as described before.

With reference to FIG. 7C, another alternative method 703 of wear-leveling is shown. Method 703 starts with steps 702, 704, 705, and 706, which are similar to those of method 700 as described above. However, after step 706 is performed, the method 703 proceeds to step 707.

In step 707, the system controller 405 determines whether the first data unit includes dynamic data. If the system controller 405 determines the first data unit contains dynamic data, the method 703 proceeds to step 709, otherwise the method 703 proceeds to step 711.

In step 711, the system controller 405 determines whether a data error has occurred as a result of reading the first data unit. If the system controller 405 determines a data error has occurred, the method 703 proceeds to step 719, otherwise the method 703 proceeds back to step 705.

In step 719, the system controller 405 corrects the data error in the first data unit, sends the corrected data to the host, and the method 703 ends.

In step 709, the system controller 405 determines whether a data error has occurred as a result of reading the first data unit. If the system controller 405 determines a data error has occurred, the method 703 proceeds to step 717, otherwise the method 703 proceeds back to step 705.

In step 717, the system controller 405 corrects the data error in the first data unit and continues to proceed to steps 720, 722, 726, and 728 as previously described.

While various storage blocks such as storage blocks 125 ₁ and 125 ₄ are described in the above method, they are given by way of example only. The data can be read and written to any storage blocks 125 ₁-125 _(n). For example, in step 706, the system controller 405 may read a first data unit from storage block 125 _(n) instead of storage block 125 ₁. Similarly, in step 720, the system controller 405 may select another available storage block (e.g., available storage block 125 ₅ of the same flash device 110 ₁ or storage block 125′₄ of another flash device 110 ₂ instead of storage block 125 ₄).

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications to the described embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention will be defined by the attached claims not by the above detailed description. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A flash storage system comprising: a plurality of flash storage devices, a plurality of storage blocks in the plurality of flash storage devices; and a system controller configured to: perform a read operation to read a first data unit from a first storage block of the plurality of storage blocks in a first flash storage device of the plurality of flash storage devices; determine whether a data error has occurred during the read operation; determine whether the first data unit includes dynamic data; and if a data error has occurred and the first data unit includes dynamic data, move the first data unit from the first storage block in the first flash storage device to a second storage block of the plurality of storage blocks in a second storage device of the plurality of flash storage devices.
 2. The flash storage system of claim 1, wherein the first storage block of the first flash storage device contains a plurality of data units stored therein, and wherein the system controller is further configured to move the plurality of data units from the first storage block of the first flash storage device to the second storage block of the second flash storage device if a data error has occurred and the first data unit includes dynamic data.
 3. The flash storage system of claim 2, wherein the system controller is further configured to move the plurality of data units from the first storage block of the first flash storage device to the second storage block of the second flash storage device after any data errors in the plurality of data units have been corrected.
 4. The flash storage system of claim 1, further comprising a data memory, wherein the system controller is further configured to maintain a read data error count and a write status indicator for each of the plurality of storage blocks in each of the plurality of flash storage devices, and wherein the system controller if further configured to determine whether the first data unit includes dynamic data based on at least one of the read data error count and the write status indicator for the first storage block in the first flash storage device containing the first data unit.
 5. The flash storage system of claim 4, wherein the system controller is further configured to determine that the first data unit includes dynamic data if the read data error count for the first storage block in the first flash storage device containing the first data unit exceeds a threshold value.
 6. The flash storage system of claim 5, wherein the system controller is further configured to determine that the first data unit includes dynamic data if the write status indicator for the first storage block of the first flash storage device is set to indicate that data has been written to the first storage block since the flash storage system was last powered on.
 7. The flash storage system of claim 4, wherein the system controller if further configured to maintain a status table for each of the plurality of flash storage devices in the data memory, wherein the status table for each of the plurality of flash storage devices contains the read data error count and the write status indicator for each of the plurality of storage blocks in the respective flash storage devices.
 8. The flash storage system of claim 4, wherein the system controller is further configured to: select a third storage block containing static data; and move the static data from the third storage block to the first storage block in the first flash storage device.
 9. The flash storage system of claim 8, wherein the third storage block is selected based on the write status indicator for the third storage block indicating that data has not been written to the third storage block since the flash storage system was last powered on.
 10. The flash storage system of claim 8, wherein the third storage block is in a third flash storage device of the plurality of flash storage devices.
 11. The flash storage system of claim 8, wherein the third storage block is in the second flash storage device of the plurality of flash storage devices.
 12. A method implemented in a flash storage system comprising a plurality of flash storage devices, the method comprising: performing a read operation to read a first data unit from a first storage block of a plurality of storage blocks in a first flash storage device of the plurality of flash storage devices; determining whether a data error has occurred during the read operation; determining whether the first data unit includes dynamic data; and if a data error has occurred and the first data unit includes dynamic data, moving the first data unit from the first storage block in the first flash storage device to a second storage block of the plurality of storage blocks in a second storage device of the plurality of flash storage devices.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first storage block of the first flash storage device contains a plurality of data units stored therein, and wherein the method further comprises moving the plurality of data units from the first storage block of the first flash storage device to the second storage block of the second flash storage device if a data error has occurred and the first data unit includes dynamic data.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of data units are moved from the first storage block of the first flash storage device to the second storage block of the second flash storage device after any data errors in the plurality of data units have been corrected.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: maintaining a read data error count and a write status indicator for each of the plurality of storage blocks in each of the plurality of flash storage devices in a data memory, wherein the first data unit is determined to include dynamic data based on at least one of the read data error count and the write status indicator for the first storage block in the first flash storage device containing the first data unit.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first data unit is determined to include dynamic data if the read data error count for the first storage block in the first flash storage device containing the first data unit exceeds a threshold value.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first data unit is determined to include dynamic data if the write status indicator for the first storage block of the first flash storage device is set to indicate that data has been written to the first storage block since the flash storage system was last powered on.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein a status table is maintained for each of the plurality of flash storage devices in the data memory, and wherein the status table for each of the plurality of flash storage devices contains the read data error count and the write status indicator for each of the plurality of storage blocks in the respective flash storage devices.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: selecting a third storage block containing static data; and moving the static data from the third storage block to the first storage block of the first flash storage device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the third storage block is selected based on the write status indicator for the third storage block indicating that data has not been written to the third storage block since the flash storage system was last powered on.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the third storage block is in a third flash storage device of the plurality of flash storage devices.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the third storage block is in the second flash storage device of the plurality of flash storage device. 